Honda's FCX makes European debut

Honda's next-generation FCX Concept fuel cell vehicle made its European driving debut at the Gotland Ring in Sweden yesterday. The FCX is claimed to have a energy efficiency of around 60 percent (which is 3 times more than a gasoline car, twice as much as a hybrid - but there was no mention on how efficient was obtaining the hydrogen). Honda is developing a new fuel cell vehicle and the FCX is an intermediate step. This vehicle should be available in 2008 for Japan and the US.

Technically, the FCX concept has a so-called V Flow fuel cell platform. Whereas in previous models the hydrogen and the water formed in electricity flowed horizontally, the new platform features a vertical-flow design, which allows gravity to improve water drainage and thus efficiency. The new stack is also 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter, with a central tunnel layout and a power improvement of 15 kW. All this changes have allowed the FCX to be designed as a sedan. The new FCX also adds a lithium-ion battery, which helps to increase power output and global range, making it a hybrid as well. Finally, even the seat fabrics are made from Bio-Fabric, a plant-based material claimed to resist sunlight damage.

Continue reading for the full specifications according to the manufacturer.

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